CNN Removes Poll Asking Whether Gay-Inclusive TV Is 'Bad For Society'

CNN.com has removed a poll that asked
viewers whether gay-inclusive television is “bad for society.”

The poll, which appeared on the site
Friday, was taken down after media watchdog the Gay & Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) complained to the network.

GLAAD also criticized the video report
that accompanied the poll.

The story from the network's HLN's
Showbiz Tonight titled Too
Gay for TV begins with: “Too
gay for TV? A brand new controversial battle is on today as more gay
characters invade prime time television.”

In the report, Dan
Gainor from the social conservative group Culture and Media Institute
lashed out against the increasing number of gay characters on the
small screen.

“It's bad for
society to promote homosexuals, particularly a homosexual lifestyle
and gay marriage,” Gainor said. “And that's what this is doing.”

GLAAD said the poll
and report were troubling because they follow “an alarming trend of
media outlets creating simplistic, predicable 'pro-gay/anti-gay'
dualisms that do a great disservice to viewers who are seeking
information on the diversity of opinion and experience within our
community.”

Before the poll was
removed, 56 percent of the 36,406 respondents said gay-inclusive TV
was not “bad for society,” while 44 percent responded that it was
detrimental.